Protests planned outside gun show

A gun show that has sparked a cultural divide in Saratoga Springs will go forward this weekend after board members of the Saratoga Springs City Center backed holding it despite pleas to cancel the show due to recent gun violence. Hundreds of area residents have objected to holding the gun show after the Newtown, Conn., killings, and many want the city center to cease hosting the annual events. The City Council passed a unanimous resolution urging gun dealers not to sell firearms like those used at Newtown to the show, and NEACA President David Petronis has said he would prohibit such sales at this weekend’s show. The city school district’s Board of Education is considering voting on a resolution later this month that would oppose gun sales in the city center. Several hundred others have signed a separate petition calling on the city center to stick by the gun show. The city center board said this week it would review all its events. But gun control advocates aren’t going away. Several plan to protest the show outside the city center this weekend.

So there really will be two shows on Broadway this weekend. The gun show occurs inside the city center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat., and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. The center has hired additional security. Outside, gun show protests will start around 10 a.m. A group plans to hold cut-out angels and read the names of recent victims of gun violence, according to Charlie Samuels. Members of the Saratoga Peace Alliance will hold a one-hour vigil outside the center starting at 1:15 p.m. MoveOn members and others are holding a “Speak-out on Ending Gun Violence” starting at 2:15 p.m. outside the center. Albany County District Attorney David Soares and city Public Safety Commissioner Chris Mathiesen are among those scheduled to speak. Also, city resident Christopher Peake said he would be gathering signatures of city residents supporting a gun buy back program in Saratoga Springs. He has the support of Public Works Commissioner Anthony Scirocco.

Dennis Yusko

5 Responses

Protest what? What do these people expect to accomplish by protesting?
Seriously? Other than provoke a fight or argument what good can come from a protest? The folks at the show are not going to get back in their cars and go home. Use common sense.
These people just can’t accept defeat. Give it a rest already.